When summer strikes, so can heat-related illness. High temperatures and humidity combine to increase everyone’s risk of heat exhaustion and heat stroke. To keep your summer fun, learn what these heat-related illnesses are, how to treat them in case they occur, and how to prevent them from becoming a problem in the first place.
What is Heat Exhaustion?
After several days of exposure to heat and inadequate hydration, people can develop heat exhaustion, which is a mild form of heat-related illness. Keep an eye out for the elderly, young children and infants, people with high blood pressure, and people working or exerting themselves in high heat. Medications that decrease perspiration and affect hydration (such as beta blockers, diuretics, antihistamines, tranquilizers, or antipsychotics) may also increase your risk.
Symptoms include:
- Heavy sweating
- Paleness
- Cramps
- Fatigue
- Headache
- Weakness
- Dizziness
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Fainting
- Weak but fast pulse
- Fast and shallow breathing
What is Heat Stroke?
Heat stroke is far more serious than heat exhaustion. It’s when your body is no longer able to cool down in the heat. Victims are unable to sweat as their body temperature rises rapidly in a matter of minutes. Heat stroke can kill or cause permanent damage without emergency treatment.
Its symptoms include:
- Body temperature above 103ºF
- Red, hot, dry skin without sweating
- Rapid pulse
- Headache
- Dizziness
- Nausea
- Confusion
- Unconsciousness
Treatment
Heat Exhaustion
Stop activity and rest, possibly in an air-conditioned environment. Don’t rely only on a fan; they may feel comfortable, but they are not actually lowering the temperature of the space. While resting, drink cool, nonalcoholic beverages to re-hydrate. When possible, take a cool shower, bath, or sponge bath to lower your temperature.
If you have cramps, wait for a couple of hours after the cramps fade away. Pushing yourself with heat-related muscle cramps can worsen heat exhaustion or lead to heat stroke.
For a few days after suffering from heat exhaustion, drink lots of water and avoid soda, tea, coffee, and alcohol, because these can dehydrate you.
Heat Stroke
Get someone to call 911 right away if you notice the signs of heat stroke. Then get the victim to a shady area right away.
Using whatever you can, start cooling them down quickly. This could be getting them to a cool shower, immersing in cool water (only if they’re conscious and it’s safe to do so!), sponging with water, etc. Do not give them alcohol. Continue trying to cool down their temperature until their fever reaches 101-102ºF. Even if the signs seem to fade, make sure that they get to a hospital as soon as possible.
Prevention
When planning outdoor activities, schedule them with common sense. Avoid strenuous activity during the hottest parts of the day and monitor members of your group who may be at risk for heat-related illness. If you can’t avoid strenuous activity during the heat of the day, remember to pace yourself.
Find ways to keep your body temperature down through the day. Wear lightweight clothing suited to helping you cool off. When you can take breaks, stop all activity and rest somewhere cool to prevent heat exhaustion.
Whatever your activity outside, keep on top of your hydration. Most of the time, you should drink when you’re thirsty. However, in the heat, you should drink more often than just when you’re thirsty. This is around a pint every hour if your activity is difficult. Drink more if you tend to sweat a lot.
Whatever your risk, stay on top of your summer safety this year–and have fun!